Up against over 55 percent of House members opposed to a proposed ban of a popular bullet used in the AR-15 rifle, Democrats have launched an effort to support the administration’s bid to snuff out “cop killer” ammo.
Long-serving Democratic New York Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, a proponent of efforts to curb gun violence, is circulating a letter to members in support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives bid to classify the 5.56mm M855 round as “armor piercing” and take it off the market.
In it, and another to the head of the agency, Maloney agrees with the Bureau that the ammo, commonly known as “green tip” for the color painted on the bullet, poses a danger to police even though it has not been used by criminals against officers.
In the letter, she reiterates the Bureau’s concerns that as more AR-15-style pistols come on the market, police are increasingly threatened. “It is prudent to consider the likely use of ammunition in these non-sporting handguns, and the danger they present to law enforcement officers and our communities,” said the letter.
She is a proponent of renewing the “assault weapons ban” that would stop sales of the AR-15, though the letters do not suggest she is targeting that weapon. Maloney has said that she has received death threats because of her gun control efforts.
In an interview this week, the executive director of the national Fraternal Order of Police, which represents 325,000 officers, said police aren’t threatened by the ammo or pistol and that none have been used against police.
“Any ammunition is of concern to police in the wrong hands, but this specific round has historically not posed a law enforcement problem,” said James Pasco, executive director of the Washington office of the FOP.
The Democratic letter counters one signed by 238 House members, mostly Republicans, challenging the proposed ban. In that letter, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte noted that the round hasn’t been used against police. The letter is shown below. A similar letter is being circulated in the Senate.
The Democratic letter just began circulating today with Maloney’s signature on it.
Gun advocates are suspicious that the effort is a backdoor bid by the administration to curb use of the AR-15 and associated pistol platforms. It is one of the most popular guns in America, and one critics call an “assault weapon” because of its military looks and capability to carry over 15 rounds.
Below is the Maloney “Dear Colleague” letter and associated supportive note to BATFE.
Support ATF proposal on Armor-Piercing Ammunition
From: The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney
Date: 3/4/2015
Dear Colleague:
I invite you to join me on a letter in support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ recent proposal to update its framework for the evaluation of armor-piercing ammunition.
As you may know, the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1986 (LEOPA) restricted the sale of armor-piercing handgun ammunition in order to make sure that the police officers who keep our communities safe do not come face-to-face with so-called “cop killer” ammunition.
Technological strides made by the firearms industry since 1986 necessitate an update to the enforcement of LEOPA’s restriction. Since 1986, 5.56 mm steel-core rifle rounds have received an exemption from the armor-piercing restriction because ATF found that these rifles were “primarily used for sporting purposes”. In recent years, however, firearm manufacturers have introduced handguns capable of firing this armor-piercing ammunition.
The rifle-based handguns, profiled in a recent report by the Violence Policy Center, are more easily concealed and transported, and the proliferation of new products is cause for a re-evaluation of the previous exemption framework. In particular, it is prudent to consider the likely use of ammunition in these non-sporting handguns, and the danger they present to law enforcement officers and our communities.
I strongly support the ATF’s proposal, and urge you to join me in support of its efforts to update the implementation of LEOPA to re-assert Congress’ intent to protect law enforcement officers and our communities from dangerous weapons.
Sincerely,
CAROLYN B. MALONEY
Member of Congress
Dear Director Jones:
We commend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives on its proposed framework update for the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act (LEOPA) and urge ATF to implement this important new policy that will keep our officers and first responders safe.
In 2014, 50 police officers were killed with a firearm in the line of duty, and these incidents exact a tragic toll not just from these departments, but from the families and communities they serve. Congress passed LEOPA in 1986 to ensure that law enforcement officers did not face extreme safety risk from firearm technology like armor-piercing ammunition. For years, the exemption of rifle ammunition made sense, but the recent proliferation of handguns capable of firing 5.56 mm steel-core armor-piercing rifle ammunition prompts action to protect officers from emerging threats.
ATF took great care to consider and evaluate the concerns of both law enforcement and the firearm industry while developing the revised framework, and we strongly support its decision to consider the likely use of ammunition in non-sporting handguns when determining if a product will be used primarily for sporting purpose. In addition, objective, predictable criteria for eligibility will help manufacturers plan new products and grant consumers greater certainty.
The proposed framework is a tremendous step in the right direction to reclaim Congress’ intent in LEOPA, and we look forward to ATF’s continued diligence to protect our brave law enforcement officers.
Sincerely,
Members of Congress
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
